A PROFESSIONAL SWINDLER,

Dunstan Times, Issue 1236, 6 November 1885, Page 3

A PROFESSIONAL SWINDLER,

On Friday week (says the * Press’ of Saturday) a person who gave his name as Kingsford and described himself as a physician took up his quarters at the Commercial Hotel, engaging a handsome suite of rooms. He next paid a round of visits to the labor agencies, the result of which was that several ladies visited him on Saturday at the Commercial Hotel with the hope of obtains in? a situation as housekeeper to him. To them he described his handsome residence which he located now in Timaru, now in Temuka, and again somewhere else ; and his large practice, his ample income, and the number of servants he kept—sometimes two, sometimes three. Ho then inquired what salary they were accustomed to receive. In one case this was stated at L4O per annum, but he promptly replied that he did not consider Ij4i) per auuum sufficient for his housekeeper, and he should pay L 65. The first applicant who came he engaged, and then told her that he was obliged to go South by the morning express on the following Monday, and she must be ready to go with him then. Naturally the future housekeeper said that she could do nothing of the kind, but “Dr Kingsford” was very persistent, and finally she agreed to go by the afternoon train on Monday. Meanwhile, however, a judicious lady friend was making inquiries on her behalf. The “ Doctor” had declared himself to be on terms of intimate acquaintance and friendship with Archdeacon Harper at Timaru, and even described the dinners which he had enjoyed at that gentleman’s table. He also claimed to possess the acquaintance of several other prominent members of Timaru society. A rapid interchange of telegrams with Timaru proved that whatever “Dr Kingsford” might know of Timaru, Timaru knew nothing of Dr Kingsford. The truth of a remark incidentally let fall about a consultation held on Saturday morning with Dr Dearner was also tested, anl it was found that no such consultation had taken place. It is needless to say that the newly engaged housekeeper did not take the afternoon tram for Timaru. The engager, however, who had brought no luggage to the hotel with him, and had paid Mr Warner in advance by cheque, disappeared on Monday morning, and for a few days was no more seen. During these days numerous interesting matters came to light in connection with the affair. It appears that he was doubtful of his Monday housekeeper turning up, to to avoid disappointment he had engaged a second for Tuesday morning, a third for Wednesday morning, and a fourth for Thursday morn ng. He was always very careful to draw up an agreement—one of the four ran as follows

Miss , I agree to give you L 65 per annum as housekeeper at iny residence at Tomuka. A month’s notice to give on each side. (Signed) Fbbdk. Kisosfobd, M.R. C.P.

lie had not assumed the medical style for nothing, and on Saturday it appears that 'he actoaly attended some patients. Here is a verbatim, or rather literatim, copy of one of his prescriptions Chch Mrs 3 of T.C. 20 Bal 4 I o-T.K. He had imitated the usual mystic medical scrawl very well, and until examine I the thing really looked like a prescription. Ac* cused is said to have the aliases of Frederick Cooper, Cameron, Fisher, and Thompson, but hia real name is Alfred Cooper. He is a man of about 35 or 40, and has a wife and family. He was sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment.